The Village Theatre, located at 820 Orange Avenue in the heart of Coronado, will officially reopen on July 1 under the management of UltraStar Cinemas, ending weeks of uncertainty following the expiration of the previous operator's lease and providing a new chapter for one of San Diego County's most treasured historic theaters.
The announcement comes just weeks after SanDiegoVille reported that the theater had gone dark following the expiration of the operating lease held by Vintage Cinemas. At the time, movie listings had disappeared, future showtimes were unavailable, and many Coronado residents feared the historic venue could face a prolonged closure or potentially an uncertain future.
Instead, the theater's transition appears to have moved quickly. The Village Theatre will now be operated by Evolved Multi-tainment Management, the company behind UltraStar Cinemas, a longtime Southern California movie theater operator with existing locations throughout the region, including its theater at Hazard Center in Mission Valley.
"This is an old-school movie palace," said Julie Bravo, President and Chief Marketing Officer of Evolved Multi-tainment Management. "You don't see this anymore. It has comfortable seating in a more intimate environment. It's beautiful, and we're just so excited to be a part of this community."
The reopening marks the latest chapter in a remarkable story of preservation and revival that spans nearly eight decades.
The Village Theatre originally opened on March 18, 1947, debuting with a screening of the musical film Irish Eyes Are Smiling. Designed in the Art Deco style, the approximately 9,000-square-foot theater quickly became one of Coronado's most recognizable landmarks and served generations of moviegoers before falling into decline in the late 20th century.
After closing in 2000, the theater remained dark for nearly a decade as the building deteriorated and questions mounted about its future. It was ultimately saved through a multimillion-dollar restoration effort led by Vintage Cinemas founder Lance Alspaugh in partnership with the City of Coronado and private investors.
The restored theater reopened in June 2011 as a three-screen cinema, preserving its historic character while modernizing the moviegoing experience. The project transformed what many had viewed as a deteriorating eyesore into one of the most attractive and architecturally distinctive theaters in Southern California.
The recent transition follows the death of Alspaugh in October 2025 after a prolonged illness. Widely respected among film enthusiasts and preservationists, Alspaugh played a central role in saving the Village Theatre and several other historic cinemas throughout California. His passing prompted questions about the theater's long-term future and became a pivotal moment in determining who would operate the venue moving forward.
Fortunately for Coronado moviegoers, the answer appears to be an operator with deep roots in San Diego County. UltraStar Cinemas has operated theaters and entertainment venues in the region for decades and plans to maintain the Village Theatre as a traditional cinema while introducing additional programming and concessions.
According to Bravo, the company intends to preserve the theater's three-auditorium format while expanding entertainment offerings beyond first-run Hollywood releases. Future programming could include classic films, anime screenings, opera broadcasts, special events, and other alternative content designed to appeal to a broader audience.
The company also plans to introduce several amenities already popular at other UltraStar locations. Moviegoers can expect expanded concession options including Icees, ice cream, nachos, and children's snack trays. UltraStar is also exploring the possibility of adding beer and wine service in the future, subject to licensing and approvals.
Another planned addition is the company's "Popcorn Pass" program, which allows guests to pay a one-time fee in exchange for complimentary or discounted popcorn throughout the remainder of the year. While the Village Theatre currently operates without reserved seating, management indicated that future technology upgrades and operational improvements are being evaluated as part of the transition.
The timing could hardly be better. The summer movie season is entering one of its busiest stretches, with several highly anticipated releases arriving shortly after the theater reopens. Upcoming films include Disney's live-action adaptation of Moana on July 10, Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated epic The Odyssey on July 17, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day on July 31.
The reopening also represents a rare piece of positive news for San Diego County's movie theater industry. The local exhibition landscape has experienced significant contraction in recent years. Reading Cinemas recently closed its Grossmont Center location after nearly two decades of operation, while other theaters throughout the county have shuttered amid changing consumer habits, streaming competition, and evolving economics within the film industry.
Against that backdrop, the preservation and continued operation of the Village Theatre feels increasingly significant. For Coronado residents, the theater is far more than a place to watch movies. It serves as a community gathering space, a venue for special events, and an anchor for the arts and culture scene on the island. The theater also plays a key role in the annual Coronado Island Film Festival, which has grown into one of the region's most prominent cinematic events. Rather than losing another historic theater, Coronado appears poised to keep one of its most cherished landmarks alive.
Beginning July 1, moviegoers will once again be able to walk through the Village Theatre's iconic doors, grab popcorn, settle into their seats, and enjoy the experience that generations of Coronado residents have enjoyed since 1947. For a historic theater that has already survived closure, deterioration, restoration, and now another major transition, the latest act may be just beginning.
The Village Theatre is located at 820 Orange Avenue in Coronado. Tickets will be available through CoronadoTheater.com and UltraStar Cinemas beginning with the theater's July 1 reopening.
Originally published on June 23, 2026. Information first reported by Alyssa K. Burns of Coronado Times.
Fortunately for Coronado moviegoers, the answer appears to be an operator with deep roots in San Diego County. UltraStar Cinemas has operated theaters and entertainment venues in the region for decades and plans to maintain the Village Theatre as a traditional cinema while introducing additional programming and concessions.
According to Bravo, the company intends to preserve the theater's three-auditorium format while expanding entertainment offerings beyond first-run Hollywood releases. Future programming could include classic films, anime screenings, opera broadcasts, special events, and other alternative content designed to appeal to a broader audience.
The company also plans to introduce several amenities already popular at other UltraStar locations. Moviegoers can expect expanded concession options including Icees, ice cream, nachos, and children's snack trays. UltraStar is also exploring the possibility of adding beer and wine service in the future, subject to licensing and approvals.
Another planned addition is the company's "Popcorn Pass" program, which allows guests to pay a one-time fee in exchange for complimentary or discounted popcorn throughout the remainder of the year. While the Village Theatre currently operates without reserved seating, management indicated that future technology upgrades and operational improvements are being evaluated as part of the transition.
The timing could hardly be better. The summer movie season is entering one of its busiest stretches, with several highly anticipated releases arriving shortly after the theater reopens. Upcoming films include Disney's live-action adaptation of Moana on July 10, Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated epic The Odyssey on July 17, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day on July 31.
The reopening also represents a rare piece of positive news for San Diego County's movie theater industry. The local exhibition landscape has experienced significant contraction in recent years. Reading Cinemas recently closed its Grossmont Center location after nearly two decades of operation, while other theaters throughout the county have shuttered amid changing consumer habits, streaming competition, and evolving economics within the film industry.
Against that backdrop, the preservation and continued operation of the Village Theatre feels increasingly significant. For Coronado residents, the theater is far more than a place to watch movies. It serves as a community gathering space, a venue for special events, and an anchor for the arts and culture scene on the island. The theater also plays a key role in the annual Coronado Island Film Festival, which has grown into one of the region's most prominent cinematic events. Rather than losing another historic theater, Coronado appears poised to keep one of its most cherished landmarks alive.
Beginning July 1, moviegoers will once again be able to walk through the Village Theatre's iconic doors, grab popcorn, settle into their seats, and enjoy the experience that generations of Coronado residents have enjoyed since 1947. For a historic theater that has already survived closure, deterioration, restoration, and now another major transition, the latest act may be just beginning.
The Village Theatre is located at 820 Orange Avenue in Coronado. Tickets will be available through CoronadoTheater.com and UltraStar Cinemas beginning with the theater's July 1 reopening.
Originally published on June 23, 2026. Information first reported by Alyssa K. Burns of Coronado Times.
